One On One with Eileen Davidson

Hear what they had to say by clicking on our featured audiobytes.

 

Eileen is back as Ashley! and Y&R is happy to have her home

SC MICHAEL: Now, what I wanted to ask you…the role of Ashley…with the pregnancy, do you finally feel that you have the ball, they've given you a big thing to do on the show?

EILEEN: Oh, of course. It still needs some cranking up, but we're definitely heading in that direction.

SC MICHAEL: Have they sat down with you and told you that this will be a long arc of a story, so you don't feel like you're just languishing there?

EILEEN: They told me in October or November, I believe, what was going to happen. And the general story what the general idea was.

SC MICHAEL: Right, right.

EILEEN: And it's a well received pregnancy, so it's at least 9 months. It has a lot of repercussions, with far reaching ramifications, so yes, I did know that that was happening and I was thrilled because I love the story.

SC MICHAEL: Now that you've been back on Y&R for a while and along with the characters you've played on "Days…", are you feeling more grounded here now, or are you still missing "Days…" at all, and the 5 roles that you played there?

EILEEN: I was really finished there. I mean I've never really missed it. It was fantastic and I loved the experience. It was a lot of work and it went on for a couple of years, and I pretty much feel like I did everything I could have done with it. So, no, it doesn't feel unfinished at all, it feels like total closure. I'm just enjoying doing a whole different sort of story, you know, a whole different kind of show. It's great to be able to do both in such a short period of time, cuz I'm getting my acting ya-yas out all over the place. First, "Days.." was so out there and such a fabulous challenge and this is just as fabulous, but in a different way.

SC MICHAEL: But, as an actress, are there a lot of challenges with this kind of realistic role?

EILEEN: Well, it depends on the story you're given. It hasn't been exceptionally challenging, except having to find her again, that's a big challenge. And it's different because the story's evolving into her pregnancy, and the paternity being in question, it'll be a challenge depending on what I'm given. But I have all the faith in the world in Kay and the writers, so….

SC MICHAEL: When they showed the replay of the scene when you told Victor in the rain about the abortion and the whole thing…did you look at that work and say, "Yeah, I was really good in that". Did you think that was a great scene?

EILEEN: Interesting, I don't know, I don't know. I've seen that scene so many times over the years, mmmm, I know it was a very effective scene. And quite poignant for what the story was at that time. I think it holds up. It seems like it's good. You could probably put it up with anything else I've done. It's not like I'm embarrassed by it. It was appropriate for what she was going through at the time. And now its come into play again, because of her choice to be pregnant on her own. I think in some way she feels she sacrificed.

SC MICHAEL: Before.

EILEEN: And she's not willing to again.

SC MICHAEL: Right. Since we have such a strong "Days.." fan base at Soap City and Y&R because we handle both shows, as you know, on "Days of Our Lives", what do you think was the best moment for you? As an actress, with those characters? A couple of favorites? The fans always talk about it.

EILEEN: My favorite? I don't know. I think, anything to do with Susan and Sister Moira. I think that, I just loved them together. (joint giggle) The girls. I loved that so much. You know, Ivan G'vera brought something up, you know the séance scene. But, I don't know. There's just so many. You know, everyday was a new adventure over there. It's hard to pinpoint one thing. Probably the teeth coming out. But, again, I loved Sister Moira. I just love her, so…Anything with them. Preferably with all three of them. There were a couple of times I did all three of them, so that would be something.

SC MICHAEL: Working with Eric Braeden again, you said that was a wonderful experience. I know he cherishes you, because in chats that we've had, he's just so happy to have you back. Is that great playing with him? I'm sure it is, but in your words.

EILEEN: It's actually better now than it was before. Because we're at odds. Before, even though we enjoyed it and the work was good, we both enjoy different things, and frankly, I didn't get along with him very well. A lot of time has passed. We've both changed and grown a lot as people, so I actually enjoy it more now than I did before. Which is great. Which is something I never anticipated. One of those little blessings you get in life.

SC MICHAEL: Of the other actors, is there anyone one there who you go to, that you have kind of...

Don Diamont was instrumental in Eileen's return to Y&R

EILEEN: Peter.

SC MICHAEL: Peter, right. He's a great actor.

EILEEN: Peter and I just get each other. But also Jerry and I have something really special. Jess Walton and I are establishing a really cool working relationship and our characters are in a kind of a groove. So I have the great pleasure of being surrounded by people who are just terrific. And our relationship as characters is just growing and changing and, um, we look at each other a lot when we're in wardrobe. Scenes with Jerry and Peter and me and Jess and we're just so... we feel so lucky. We all work so well together and we really enjoy each other. And it doesn't happen that often in life. And I have a terrific working relationship with Don Diamont. You know he's an ex-boyfriend, so it could have gone either way. We've actually kind of risen to the occasion and we're very good friends and have a fantastic time working together.

SC MICHAEL: He's a really nice guy. He's been really nice.

EILEEN: If I had won the Soap Opera Digest Award, I would have thanked him.

SC MICHAEL: Really?

EILEEN: For giving me a really good talking to a year ago. Cuz he was the one who was pivotal in me coming back.

SC MICHAEL: That's what I wanted to get to next, actually, I know you were going to leave daytime for a while and then you did come back fairly quickly after the last role.

Hubby, Jon Lindstrom took home the Supporting Actor Digest Award!

EILEEN: Uh, huh.

SC MICHAEL: Was one of the determining factors, what he said to you?

EILEEN: It actually was. It just was. I had said no. And I called him and I said, "You know, it's not going to happen". And he called me, I think, like three times during that day, during the course of the day. He said you might want to rethink your decision. This show is not like other shows. The work schedule's much easier. You know the writing is terrific so you're getting all the pros and none of the cons. And he said, "You might want to take another look at it". And by the end of the third conversation I said, "I'll listen to what they have to say. And their first offer was pretty mindblowing, so I said, "hmmmm…okay, all right!". He was definitely instrumental.

SC MICHAEL: Do you want to do a prime time comedy show at some point? Are you interested in doing comedy at all?

EILEEN: You know, I came close to doing something when I left "Days.." I was being wooed by a writing team from Warner Bros. They wanted to do something with me. I was going to, but unfortunately none of their shows got picked up. So, I mean, that's how things happen. I was ready to go into exactly that, a sitcom; and unfortunately the hands of fate moved and their shows didn't get picked up. But, sure. Absolutely. You never know what's going to come your way in this business, but I would love to do comedy. Absolutely.

SC MICHAEL: Great timing. And now you and Jon are together and things are going good. Did you buy a new house or something?

EILEEN: We did, about six months ago.

SC MICHAEL: You did. Are you decorating it, and all that kind of...

EILEEN: No, I'm like greased lightening, man. That house is done. I'm in the tweaking stage. But basically the house has been done.

SC MICHAEL: Are you still working with the children or are you doing less of that?

EILEEN: I moved from Para Los Niños to working as a mentor for one boy. And I've been doing that for 6 years. He's 16 now. So I'm part of a mentorship program.

SC MICHAEL: And what does that involve?

EILEEN: In the beginning, from ages 10 to 13 he was in an orphanage and it was like 2-3 times a month for a block of period of time. We also took him away for weekends, blah, blah, blah. Now he's in Foster Care and he's an hour or so away from us, so now we see him about every 6 weeks for long weekends. So he's just a part of our life now, and I think he always will be. I've been working with these kids, more than working with the organization itself. And I decided I wanted to get more one on one. So around the time of daytime at the beach I started into this mentoring program and kind of segued into more one on one with him. Not to say I won't go back to Para Los Niños but I just kinda wanted to do something else for a while.

SC MICHAEL: And since you are so stylish, and everybody I know goes, "Wow, she is so classy"

EILEEN: Oh, that's so nice.

SC MICHAEL: Oh, that's all we talked about at the Digest Awards. We talk about it all the time. As far as fashion, do you have favorite places to shop or designers?

EILEEN: I'm not real picky about that sort of thing. I just know what I like. I go to stores on Robertson near my house. I don't really think I want to name them.

SC MICHAEL: That's all right.

EILEEN: They have kind of, slightly offbeat clothes, but, you know, really fabulous. That's what I was wearing on Friday night it came from them.

SC MICHAEL: Oh, it was great.

EILEEN: Isn't it fabulous? Just so interesting, too.

SC MICHAEL: Right.

EILEEN: So, yeah, I kind a like things that are a little bit different; and I've gotten vilified in the press at times for that. It's like, I have my own drummer, and I have to go to my own drummer. I can't conform to what everybody else is doing. It's just not my style.

SC MICHAEL: And your hair. I know you cut it short.

EILEEN: Uh, huh.

SC MICHAEL: Are you liking that?

EILEEN: Loving it. I never thought I would love it as much as I do.

SC MICHAEL: You had long hair for a long time.

EILEEN: Yeah, like 16 years. I cut it briefly when I was 24 and let it grow out right away. So this is really the first time in my life I've really experienced it and I like it so much. It suits me, and in a weird way it's like it's opened up a whole new chapter in my life. Isn't that weird?

SC MICHAEL: I think it's really glamorous for you.

EILEEN: Thanks. I know. I really like it.

SC MICHAEL: Do you ever think you and Jon will ever work together in something? Doing like a play or something?

EILEEN: Yeah. You know, we're too busy right now for that, but we'd love to work together. I think he's a fantastic actor. I have tons respect for him. And I would just jump at the chance to work with him.

SC MICHAEL: Are you doing any songwriting or anything like that?

EILEEN: Not really. This job has pretty much taken over. I'm hoping I'll get into a groove and then I can do other things. But we're hoping to have a baby soon. So, hopefully we'll get pregnant soon and that'll be taking up time. So ahhhhhh,ehhhhhh (in unison with Michael). I'm doing enough already!

SC MICHAEL: You are. You are. You always are. You're always so busy. So, in a year from now, when we talk again, with Ashley, where do you want to see her?

EILEEN: Her?

SC MICHAEL: Yeah.

EILEEN: Oh, God. Hopefully, just loving motherhood and maybe with a nice, solid relationship. But it's soap opera, so that's not going to happen.

SC MICHAEL: You can't be too happy.

Considered one of the most beautiful women in Daytime, Eileen has her "own" style

EILEEN: Pipe dreaming, baby. Maybe she'll be like torn between three or four lovers. Not one or two.

SC MICHAEL: That'll be good. Do you think she's a role model for women?

EILEEN: No…not really. Not any more. Not after ten years. Three divorces. Remember, she was married, she was a widow when I played her. She wasn't even divorced. So, a lot has happened the last ten years. The only thing I can say, as a role model, that she's a survivor. That she's doing the best she can. I think she's trying to become aware of her faults and not repeat them. Her mistakes.